Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid: 5 talking points

Luciano Vietto scored seven minutes from time to share the spoils as Atletico Madrid held crosstown rivals Real Madrid 1-1 at the Vicente Calderon in a high-tempo clash. Striker Karim Benzema struck within 10 minutes after the kick-off to give the visitors an early lead, but a jumble in the box in the dying embers of the game allowed an unmarked Vietto to tap in the equalizer.With the game being played at a brisk pace, both sides counter-attacked each other relentlessly, and deservedly shared the points in the end. The hosts had a penalty attempt blocked by Keylor Navas, which otherwise, would have given the game a different tone.The draw extends Real Madrid’s winless run at the Arganzuela to five games now, as they continue to struggle in reclaiming the bragging rights in Madrid.Here are the five talking points from the thrilling Madrid derby.

#1 A game riding on recklessness

As the Madrid clubs came to blows in every other minute, rash tackles and challenges flew in at a preposterous rate. At the end of the match, the number of yellow cards that were brandished read a dismaying figure of 10, six to the home side and four for the visitors.

Desperate to break each other’s play and regain the possession of the ball, the players subjected their opponents to some reckless challenges that often compelled the referee to halt play and give away free-kick. This actually prevented both sides from having a smooth flowing, fluid attacking game and also, marred the game.

In a match of such an intensity and brewing hostility, tensions are natural to simmer within the players. However, that would only plunge a player into a kind of recklessness that we witnessed today.

#2 Ronaldo\'s poor league form continues

Having been adjudged as the most prolific in the history of the club by Real Madrid themselves, ace winger Cristiano Ronaldo was touted to go all guns blazing after the landmark feat, but the Portuguese had yet another barren 90 minute spell, instead.

Having been heavily marked by Diego Godin, the former Manchester United starlet was restricted just a mere chances at goal, and couldn’t assert himself much on the game. He dropped midfield to try and instigate attacks, and even contributed in the defense at times, but his contributions in the final third, where he is actually supposed to deliver from, were few and far between.

A blank here as well means Ronaldo has now been unable to find the net in six of the opening seven league games, having struck all the five registered goals on matchday three against Espanyol itself. The 30-year old however, needs to quickly find his shooting boots as the title race is heating up.

#3 Navas developing into a world class keeper

Real Madrid have played 9 official games in all competitions this season and have let in a mere two goals, thanks in no small part to their talismanic goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who is really stepping up to the plate for his side.

The Costa Rican international played a blinder in between the pipes once again, thwarting strikes left, right and centre. He commanded his box with great aplomb, and kept the likes of Griezmann and Torres at bay to a large extent of the match. His best moment though, came midway in the first half when he parried away a penalty from Griezmann to preserve the visitor’s lead up until the final few minutes.

It was really unfortunate that for all his magnificent showings he wasn’t able to prevent Vietto from tapping home the parity strike, but that can be attributed to a poor piece of defending from Real Madrid.

Nonetheless, with another awe-inspiring performance from the former Levante man, it seems that Keylor Navas is truly developing into a world class shotstopper.

#4 Correa key to Atletico\'s fortunes

Angel Correa was one of the stand-out performers on the evening, and highlighted his importance to Rojiblancos. The Argentinian was signed from San Lorenzo in the summer, but a glaring heart issue in his medical meant that the 2014 league winners played a big gamble. The club assured him of best possible medical assistance, and it certainly is positively impacting Correa’s game as he is fit and firing again.

The 20-year caused all sorts of problems to the Blancos backline, and nearly grabbed the equaliser when he could only blast his shot well off the post in the first half. He was one of the better players going forward and the cynosure for all the good things that the home side did in the opening 45 minutes.

Correa was subbed off at the hour mark to a standing ovation, but his presence till the very end would have had an impact on the result, certainly. He was the cheapest buy of Atletico this summer, but it appears that he’s set to play a huge part in their fortunes for this campaign.

#5 Atletico make most of Real\'s laxity

It was going great guns for the visitors. Three points and a first place seemed all but assured, and then the calamity struck. Substitute Jackson Martinez teed up Luciano Vietto, who tucked away an easy finish into the bottom corner. It was a goal that could have been prevented and a move that would have been nipped in the bud, but the whites had started to lose the steam by then, and that came back to bite them.

Real taking luxury from the 1-0 lead allowed Atletico to grow into the game, and made the most of their laxity with a counter-attack that yielded dividends. The goal spurred the home side on as they began to dominate the proceedings and threatened to snatch a victory at any moment.

Although they couldn’t, it just reflected on the fact that this Colchoneros side still have the spark that can steer them past even the most obdurate hurdles, despite the tumult they’ve endured in the early stages of this season.